Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise in New York

NYC’s Department and Health and Hygiene reports that type 2 diabetes and obesity increased by 17 percent between 2002 and 2004. Nationwide, obesity has gone up by 6 percent and the diabetes rate has remained static at 7 percent.

The study, which is published in April’s issue of Preventing Chronic Disease, involved a telephone survey of around 10,000 Big Apple adults. Responses to the Community Health Survey was compared to a similar national survy called the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

In 2002, 19.5 percent of the city’s adults were obese; in 2004, 22.8 percent were, the study said. Diagnosed type 2 diabetes cases rose from 8.1 percent of New Yorkers to 9.5 percent, the study said.

Pending Fast Food Legislation

Thomas Frieden, NYC Health Commissioner, has spearheaded a new city ordinance that requires fast-food chains to post calorie counts and he says that this study underscore the pressing need for such legislation.

On the grounds that the new law violates free speech, a restaurant trade group’s law suit has delayed the legislation from taking effect at the end of March. A court ruling is expected by mid-April.